UK-based charity the Shark Trust is always pleased to receive photo and video contributions from divers and snorkellers to reinforce its shark and ray database, but for the past three summer it has formalised the process by announcing a Great Shark Snapshot week – and 2025 will be no exception.
The fourth such citizen-science event is set for the last week of July (19-27) – which also happens to coincide with Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, which kicks off on 20 July (on Discovery+ in the UK) and, on the same day, the 50th anniversary of the release of that controversial film Jaws.
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Divers, clubs, dive-centres and charter-boat and liveaboard operators are encouraged to show their support by organising dives and events throughout the week, both to gather data for the trust’s Shark Log and to celebrate whichever species are around for you to see.
The global Shark Log has been growing steadily since 2008 and is said to be helping scientists to build a picture of species distribution while making it easier to note any changes that occur in populations over time.
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Whether diving close to home or on a long-haul trip, the Shark Trust asks participants to “make every dive count”.
Helpful observations extend to skate species and, for non-divers and younger participants, egg-case photos and observations from the beach all add to the knowledge bank. They can be entered into the Recording Hub on the Shark Trust Shark Log website or by downloading the Shark Trust app for iOS or Android devices.
The trust has also created a digital guide collecting all the information required to participate, and it can be downloaded from the website.
Also on Divernet: Shark Trust launches free-entry photo contest, Shark Trust launches 5-project app, Divers asked to sign Big Shark Pledge, Divers snapshot 2,000 sharks & rays
